NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The air is different here. After the biggest drag race in the world, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy, the stage has been set for drivers in all four NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series categories to race for the championship — and the intensity shifts from killer-competitive to championship-chasing. The 40th running of the NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway marks the official start of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, where every point counts and the margin for error disappears.

This weekend is also a milestone in NHRA history. Since joining the NHRA tour in 1985, Maple Grove has been one of the quickest and fastest tracks in the sport, and under the ownership of the Koretsky family since 2022, the fan-favorite facility continues to deliver unforgettable moments just 10 miles south of Reading and 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Championship Pedigree Returns to The Grove

The list of event winners at Maple Grove reads like a Hall of Fame roll call. In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher leads all active drivers with five wins (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2014), while Antron Brown (three, including 2024), Doug Kalitta (two, including 2023), and Austin Prock (2022) look to add more Reading glory.

John Force’s seven wins are the benchmark in Funny Car, while Jack Beckman (three), Cruz Pedregon (two), Ron Capps (2017), and reigning event winner Austin Prock return as contenders.

In Pro Stock, four-time winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. headlines a class stacked with recent winners like Aaron Stanfield (2024), Matt Hartford (2023), and Erica Enders (2022). Two-wheel warriors in Pro Stock Motorcycle include past Grove winners Hector Arana Jr. (three, including 2024), Matt Smith (three), and Steve Johnson (2021).

Friday Schedule: Countdown Kickoff

Friday qualifying delivers wall-to-wall action as the Countdown to the Championship begins. Sportsman eliminations open the day at 9:00 a.m., followed by a packed afternoon of Professional qualifying sessions:

• 11:15 a.m. — Competition eliminator qualifying
• 11:30 a.m. — Factory Stock Showdown qualifying
• 11:45 a.m. — Factory X qualifying
• 11:55 a.m. — Mountain Motor Pro Stock qualifying
• 12:10 p.m. — Top Sportsman qualifying
• 1:35 p.m. — Factory Stock Showdown qualifying
• 1:50 p.m. — Factory X qualifying
• 2:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock Car qualifying
• 3:30 p.m. — Top Fuel and Funny Car Nitro qualifying
• 4:30 p.m. — Mountain Motor Pro Stock qualifying
• 5:00 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock Car qualifying
• 6:00 p.m. — Top Fuel and Funny Car Nitro qualifying

Between nitro sessions, fans will also be treated to a Total Seal Tech Talk at Matt Hartford’s Pro Stock pit at 11:00 a.m. and live performances from the U.S. Air Force Band’s “Full Spectrum” ensemble at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Record-Breaking Potential

Cool September air and Maple Grove’s fast surface have produced some of the quickest runs in history. Brittany Force still holds the elapsed-time record (3.623, 2019), while Ron Capps blasted to 339.28 mph in his NAPA Funny Car the same year. With conditions often ideal, today could set the tone for another record-setting weekend.

The Countdown begins now, and with championship dreams on the line, every run matters at Maple Grove.

NHRA on FOX Tune-In Times

Sunday, Sept. 15, FS1 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 12 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 15,, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 3:00 p.m. (ET)